The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1887-11-24
FRED'S FORFEIT.

Il was the last night of October.
Without the old RaY farmhouse the
autumn wind was holding high revel,
rafting the windows and whistling
round the caves, sending the remain
ing nuts and acorns down in pelting
showers, and whirling the dead leaves
before it in a very dervish dance.
But within all was light and warmth
and cheer, for the great kitchen had
been given over to the young people
for Halloween merry-making. and
nuts were swapping, apples bobbing
and every charm was at work that
mirth or mischief could devise.
''And now for a rousing ghost
story" said Harry Ray, as there was
a lull in he merry din. Gather
round the fire, boys and girls. The
witching hour draws near when
church-yards yawn and graves give up
their deadr"
"Oh, don'tw cried half dozen of
the girls, nervousl ly-''don't, Harry,
please"
Il know regular blood-curdler, "
continued Harry, relentlessly, "just
adapted to this occasion. Blow out
the lights, boys; I'm going to make
your flesh creep!'
"Oh, do hug us up close, Fredr'
pleaed little Tom and Joey, shudder-
ing, as they sought their big cousin s
arms. Harry is going to scare us
awful now!"
mo, don't, Harry" said Fred, earn
estly. 81 declare against any such chill
ing entertainment as ghost-stOriesr
"Wuat have you got to do with it?"
asked Harry, roughly.
Not much, of coursew answered
Fred, his face flushing at his cousin 8
tone, for spoiled Harry let no oppor-
tunity pass of showing Fred how little
consequence he was in the Ray home
stead.
He was the orphan son of distant
relative, and for the last three years
had done chores about the farm in re-
turn for his board and the privilege
of attending the district school Har-
rvs old jackets and cast-off hats, a
cold garnet, cold corner and "cold
shoulder" generally was his portion.
But he was nevertheless, CHEEKY,
big-hearted young fellow, and flour
ished even on this fare, bitter as he
often found it. The horses neighed at
his footsteps, the dogs licked his hand,
and Tom and joey, the six-year-old
twins, trotted after him at all times
and all places. 1t was in their inter-
est he spoke tonight.
You'll frighten these little tackers
so they won't sleep a wink"
,fh bn
ought to be in bed, anyhow"
'Put it to the vote, then" said Fred,
fairly. (Which shall it be, girls and
boys-ghosts or forfeits?"
''Forfeits! forfeits" was the almost
unanimous cry-''a jolly game of for
feits."
Harry's brow darkened as he saw
himself overruled. He stood looking g
on sullenly while the others flung their
forfeits in the big basket that Fred
handed around, and that soon brimmed
over with its burden of scarfs and
handkerchiefs, neck-rib bbons, knives,
pencil-cases and watch-guards.
The forfeit-holder, Len Evans, took
his seat, and then Fred who had been
appointed Judge, turned good-humor-
edly to Harry:
you're better than am at this sort
of fun, Hal; take my place"
And somewhat Modified, Hal took
his place; and, allowing his eyes to be
bandaged. began to administer tasks
with a rogush malice that might rea-
sonably cause the suspicion that JUS
tice, in this case, was not SO blind as
she seemed.
Pretty Mary Lee was ordered to
blacken the end of her saucy little
nose, dapper Win Green to souse his
carefully oiled head three times in the
water-barrel, and stolid Sam Greayes
to turn a double somersault on the
kitchen floor.
"Silence in the court - silencer'
shouted the forfeit-master, as poor
Sam rolled over, with split jacket
and apoplectic face, mid very hurri-
cane of gleeful applause.
I'VE come to another and most val
liable forfeit now, which will require
his honOr's grave attention"
And he neld up a big jack-knife.
"Oh. that's yours, Fred. isn't itp''
said little Tom, in a stage-whisper.
huSu, HUSH. duU1oulSncu tteu,
shaking his head, while Len waved the
jack-knife and went on, in solemn tone:
Heavy, heavy hangs over your
head"
Fine or superfine?" asked Harry.
Fine. What shall the owner do?'
The owner? Let me think! Bring
me three leaves ivy-leaves from the
church-yard wall" said the Judge,
after a moments pause.
"Oh, oh!'' went up a general muir
mur of dismay, "whose is that?"
Mine" replied Fred. stepping for.
ward; land L think Harry knew it. =
''Do you mean to say | cheated ?'
said his cousin, snatching off his ban
dage.
Il mean to say Tom told" said Fred
''But forfeit isn't worth a fuss; III
do it"
"Oh, don't Fred" implored little
Tom.
Don't; the ghosts will catch you,
added joey ruefully.
Its Halloween night, FredI'' cried
q warning chorus,